India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
